Despite the rainy weather, more than 10,000 registered for the 15th annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure at the Pinnacle Hills Promenade in Rogers Saturday (April 27).
The guests of honor were the breast cancer survivors and fighters who participated in a breakfast, parade and run/walk.
Juliane Pfeffer overcame the disease once before and said her loved ones helped her through the difficult journey.
"You have to have that support system, your friends and your family, that's what gets you through," Pfeffer said with tears in her eyes.
However, she's fighting cancer again, finishing 10 months of chemotherapy. Pfeffer said her doctor informed her that the cancer had metastasized to her spine, femur, mid and low back and to her liver.
She said she's happy she can still work and do what she loves in her business Pfeffer's Gourmet Catering. Pfeffer said seeing the sea of pink as she crossed the finish line is an unforgettable sight.
"It’s always just overwhelming to see everybody here,” Pfeffer said. “It's very emotional, but it's great."
Members of the 5NEWS family were also part of the race. The team included Chris Breece, Nicole Murracco, Christine Whitten, Joe Pennington, Tyler Southard, Van Comer and others.
Even our four-legged friends joined in as they Barked for the Cure.
Cheri Seyler, from Springdale, was part of Team Cabela’s.
"It is very empowering that people can overcome everything," said Cheri Seyler.
Every walker and every runner has connection to the disease.
"It kind of hits close to home. My aunt is a breast cancer survivor so it runs in our family," Seyler said. "We want to support the cause."
Susan Frazier, a seven-year cancer survivor from Bella Vista, stood next to her long-time friend Linda Hodge. Frazier is a survivor and Hodge is inspired.
"On my bad days I'll just give her a call and she brightens it up,” Frazier said.
Hodge responded, “Actually it's the other way around. She's a support for all of us, we admire her."
The Ozark affiliate's mission was reinforced in its fight against breast cancer and survivors celebrate life.
"I'm a three year survivor and yay!" said Kay Thrapp.
Thrapp is a member of the breast cancer support group Pink Divas.
"It's a really hard journey and I know a lot of people have it a lot worse than I do," Thrapp said.
She said this race means so much to the survivors.
"I think it's great for all of the women to get together and we can talk about our stories," Thrapp said. "We can support each other, it's wonderful," Thrapp said.
Pfeffer, like dozens of inspirational women in the race, shares her story to support other women. She said she surrounds herself with the people who love her most and is stronger because of it.
"I got to be what else can I do, I'm not going to curl up in a ball, I've got five daughters but I still got two little ones," Pfeffer said.
The Ozark affiliate serves eight counties in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley. Seventy five percent of the money raised stays in the area.
